I am dating myself when I tell you the first time I saw this musical was as a freshman in college and I saw it in London at the New London Theatre in the West End. Little did I know back then that this show would go on to be the longest running musical on Broadway. Throughout the last 30 years, I saw a couple more productions, but like they say, it never is as good as the first time; until now.

Musical Theater West’s production of this classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical coincides with the 30th anniversary of the show, and it captures the magic that made this show so great back in 1982, yet offers it up with an energy of the 21st century. It is truly a masterful production, worthy of the Great White Way.

Let’s talk about the setting. This was my first visit to the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center, located on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, and it is an impressive venue. The foyer is somewhat of a Carpenters museum, with memorabilia of the brother-sister phenom displayed beautifully throughout. The theater space, which can seat up to 1,070, is one of the best designs for acoustics and seating I have experienced in recent years. I was also impressed with staffing – ushers and attendants were abundant, even in the restrooms.

Pre-press promotion for this production was cleverly done – on Facebook, I received a daily blast of a feline-themed YouTube video (“That Darn Cat,” “Cat Scratch Fever,” and my favorite, “Toonses, the Driving Cat!”) This was a great way to use social media to publicize the show. At the venue, the humane society was there with some kitties for adoption, and cat-themed merchandise was available in the lobby.

I brushed up with a musical theater history lesson, as my 12-year-old was being initiated into the award-winning world of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. I explained to him the wild popularity of this show and its composer, who was compared to a pop culture Mozart in the 1980s – he was only 34 years old when Cats hit the stage, and he was already hugely popular with his successes, including Evita, six years earlier. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats features 20 of Webber’s chart toppers, including “Memory” – you can break into your rendition now!

To remind you of the plot: Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats is set at the annual reunion of the Jellicle cats at the Jellicle Ball. The eldest of this special breed, Old Deuteronomy, seeks to select which of the many cats in the neighborhood will be reborn to begin another life. Potential candidates named Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger and Bustopher Jones plead their case. Ultimately, it is Grizabella and her plea for a new life that wins the old cat over.

Upon this 30th commemorative year, Producer and Executive Director Paul Garmin of Musical Theater West, under the direction and amazing choreography of Dana Solimando and the musical direction of Dennis Castellano, gives us a fantastic, physical, phenomenal performance.

My distant memory of the London production was a medium-sized theater in the round, where the cat people were in constant movement, especially their interaction with the audience. I did not recall how physical this show is; the dancing in this updated production is amazing, credit shared by Co-director and Choreographer Billy Johnstone. The junkyard set is multi-layered and designed with found objects that enhance the lighting and scenery – even the orchestra pit is covered cleverly with refuse. I give “props” to Artistic Director Steven Glaudini and Technical Director Kevin Clowes for their creative sets and design. Makeup and costumes are essential in this show; who knew that unitards came in so many different patterns and designs?! Yolanda Rowell provides us with the kitty catsuits, topped off with amazing hair (I mean fur) and makeup executed by Mark Hoyer. Sound and lighting are executed brilliantly by Julie Ferrin and Jean Yves Tessier, respectively.

This show is full of dance and song and acting like… cats! It is cast brilliantly, as these crazy cats can really sing and dance! There are 22 characters, and it is a wonder to watch them execute the choreography, featuring acrobatics, ballet, contemporary and jazz moves, all performed marvelously to Webber’s signature musical style featuring the poetry of T.S. Eliot.

If it has been a while since you have seen Cats and you want to remember how it feels to see a steadfast and stellar show, I highly recommend that you take a trip to Long Beach and spend an evening. Nostalgia may attract you, but you will leave with new memories that won’t disappoint.